Updating of software stored in a computer of a data communication system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for updating software that is stored in a computer of a data communication system, a computer to be used in a data communication system, and a data communication system comprising several computers and an administrative computer. Data indicating which transmission medium should be used for exchanging data that is used for updating or controlling the updating process is exchanged between one of the said computers and the administrative computer before software that is stored in said computer or in a storage device assigned thereto is updated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Stage of International ApplicationNo. PCT/DE03/02775, filed Aug. 20, 2003 and claims the benefit thereof.The International Application claims the benefits of German applicationNo. 10241957.4 DE filed Sept. 10, 2002, both of the applications areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a data communication system, a computer for usein a data communication system of said type, and a method for updatingsoftware stored on a computer of a data communication system accordingto the claims.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The transmitting of data over the internet continues to increase insignificance. The internet is a global data network or, expressed moreprecisely, comprises a plurality of different data networksinterconnected my means of, for example, what are termed routers.

In each case one or more central computers, referred to in the relevantliterature frequently as servers, communicate within the internet withclients located remotely from them, for example with a (stationary orportable) computer, a telephone, etc., and/or with further, centralcomputers. Communication takes place using what are termed internetprotocols, in particular the TCP/IP Protocol (Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol). Software (what is termed a socket or TCP/IPstack) able to understand and evaluate the TCP/IP Protocol is loaded forthis purpose on, for example, the respective client.

An increasing number of private data networks, which is to say datanetworks that can only be used by specific, authorized persons, arebased on the technology and concept of the internet. Data networks ofsaid type are referred to in the relevant literature as intranets.Within an intranet, in a manner analogous to the internet a relevantcentral computer, for example, communicates using internet protocols, inparticular the TCP/IP Protocol, with clients located remotely from it,for example (stationary or portable) computers, telephones, etc. (and/orwith further, central computers). For transmission, the relevantintranet data is divided in each case into individual packets then sentin an asynchronous manner.

Intranets are generally connected to the telephone network via therelevant, central computer, so are able to communicate with a furthercomputer over the telephone network.

Data communication over the telephone network can take place on thebasis of, for example, POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) datatransmission protocols or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)data transmission protocols; alternatively on the basis of xDSL (xDigital Subscriber Line) data transmission protocols, for example bymeans of ADSL (ADSL=Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) datatransmission. A plurality of frequency bands are employed in the case ofdata communication according to an xDSL protocol which are above thefrequency bands used for POTS data transmission or, as the case may be,ISDN data transmission.

If the software loaded on a central intranet computer is to be updated,a further computer that initiates software updating can establish a POTSconnection or an ISDN connection to the central intranet computer overthe telephone network then transmit the software files required forupdating to said central intranet computer.

The central intranet computer, and hence also the intranet clientsconnected thereto, for example the above-cited computers, telephones,etc. (and/or the further central computers connected to the centralintranet computer) can additionally also be connected to the internet.The relevant central intranet computer can herein, for example, becontinually connected to the internet (which is to say always on line).Central intranet computers of said type or, as the case may be, theintranet clients connected thereto have as a rule permanent IP (InternetProtocol) addresses consisting of a multi-digit number. Via the relevantaddress, other computers connected to the internet can establish aconnection to the central intranet computer or, as the case may be, tothe intranet clients connected thereto.

Other central intranet computers are not continually connected to theinternet (which is to say are not always on line). Said computers or, asthe case may be, the intranet clients connected thereto will be able toreceive a temporary IP address assigned by the respective central (orany other) computer if they establish a connection to the internet(using, for example, a POTS, ISDN, or xDSL data transmission protocol)with, for instance, a corresponding central computer of an internetprovider having been intermediately connected. Unlike in conventionaltelephone networks, there is thus in this case no fixed assignmentbetween the respective device (here: the relevant central computer or,as the case may be, intranet client) and the call identification (here:an IP address consisting of a multi-digit number).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a novel data communicationsystem, a novel computer, and a novel method for updating softwarestored on a computer of a data communication system.

The invention achieves this and further objects by means of the subjectsof independent claims.

Advantageous developments of the invention are indicated in thedependent claims.

According to a basic concept underlying the invention, a datacommunication system having a plurality of computers and oneadministrative computer is provided wherein, prior to the updating ofsoftware stored on one of the computers or, as the case may be, on astorage device assigned thereto, data indicating which transmissionmedium is to be used for exchanging data used for updating or, as thecase may be, for controlling the updating process is exchanged betweenthe respective computer and the administrative computer.

Which transmission medium is to be used for exchanging data used forupdating or, as the case may be, for controlling the updating process isparticularly advantageously ascertained by the respective computer or,as the case may be, by special software-updating control software storedon the respective computer or, as the case may be, on the storage deviceassigned thereto.

The data used for updating or, as the case may be, for controlling theupdating process can thereby be transmitted, adaptively, in each caseover the (momentarily) optimal transmission medium using in particularthe specific communication path over which the maximum data rate is(momentarily) achievable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of anexemplary embodiment and the attached drawing.

FIG. 1: is a schematic of a data communication system according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

In the data communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 a plurality ofclients 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 3 b (a plurality of telephones 3 a, 3 b anda plurality of computers 2 a, 2 b, 2 c in the present exemplaryembodiment) are connected to a first intranet data network A.

The first intranet data network A has a telecommunication system or, asthe case may be, a central computer 5 functioning as a telecommunicationsystem, which computer functions for the clients 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 3 bas a communication-control device, in particular as a telephoneswitching system, for connecting the first intranet data network A (or,as the case may be, the clients 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 3 b connectedthereto) to a telephone network (for example to the public telephonenetwork).

Communication-control software is for this purpose loaded in a mannerknown per se on a storage device 8 of the central computer 5.

The central computer 5 or, as the case may be, the clients 2 a, 2 b, 2c, 3 a, 3 b are connected to the first intranet data network A my meansof lines 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, 7 a, 7 b, 9 connected to a corresponding bussystem.

The clients 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 3 b and the central computer 5communicate using internet protocols, for example the TransmissionControl Protocol (TCP) or, as the case may be, the Internet Protocol(IP). Software (what is termed a stack) able to understand and evaluatethe relevant internet protocol is for this purpose loaded on therespective client 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 3 b or, as the case may be, on thecentral computer 5.

To transmit data between the clients 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 3 b and thecentral computer 5 over the first intranet data network A, the data isdivided, as is customary in the case of internet protocols, intoindividual packets.

If one of the clients 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 3 b communicates over thetelephone network with an external device not connected directly to thefirst intranet data network A (with the telephone 10 a device in thepresent exemplary embodiment), the data will be converted by the centralcomputer 5 into corresponding POTS data or ISDN data and fed out to thetelephone network over a line 11. Vice versa, the POTS data or, as thecase may be, ISDN data received over the telephone network by thetelephone 10 a will be forwarded in the above-cited manner by thecentral computer 5 to the respective client 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 3 b overthe first intranet data network A.

As is further shown in the FIGURE, the data communication system 1 has aplurality of further intranet data networks apart from the firstintranet data network A. A second intranet data network B and a thirdintranet data network C are shown in the present exemplary embodiment.

The second intranet data network B has, analogously to the firstintranet data network A, a plurality of clients 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a,13 b, namely telephones 13 a, 13 b and computers 12 a, 12 b, 12 c in thepresent exemplary embodiment.

As well as to a telephone network, the second intranet data network Bcan also be connected to the internet. Connection to the internet iseffected over the telephone network and via a computer 15 b of aninternet service provider (ISP for short).

The second intranet data network B has a telecommunication system or, asthe case may be, a central computer 15 a functioning for the clients 12a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a, 13 b as a communication-control device, inparticular as a switching system for connecting the second intranet datanetwork B (or, as the case may be, the clients 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a,13 b connected thereto) to the telephone network. The central computer15 a furthermore connects the second intranet data network B to theinternet, with the telephone network being connected intermediately. Thecentral computer 15 a is not herein connected permanently to theinternet, which is to say is not always on line.

Communication-control software is loaded in a manner known per se on astorage device 18 of the computer 15 a to control communication betweenthe clients 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a, 13 b and the telephone network or,as the case may be (if required) with the internet.

The central computer 15 a or, as the case may be, the clients 12 a, 12b, 12 c, 13 a, 13 b are connected to the second intranet data network Bby means of lines 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, 17 a, 17 b, 19 a connected to acorresponding bus system.

The clients 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a, 13 b and the central computer 15 acommunicate using internet protocols, for example the TransmissionControl Protocol (TCP) or, as the case may be, the Internet Protocol(IP). Software (what is termed a stack) able to understand and evaluatethe relevant internet protocol is for this purpose loaded on therespective client 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a, 13 b or, as the case may be,on the central computer 15 a.

If one of the clients 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a, 13 b communicates with anexternal device which is not connected directly to the second intranetdata network B but is connected to the telephone network (with atelephone 10 b device in the present exemplary embodiment), the datawill be converted by the central computer 15 a into corresponding POTSdata or ISDN data and fed out to the telephone network over a line 19 b.Vice versa, the POTS data or, as the case may be, ISDN data receivedover the telephone network by the telephone 10 b will be forwarded inthe above-cited manner by the central computer 15 a to the respectiveclient 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a, 13 b over the second intranet datanetwork B.

If, by contrast, one of the clients 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a, 13 b is tocommunicate with a device connected to the internet (with a computer 10c device in the present exemplary embodiment), a telephone connection(for example a POTS, ISDN, or xDSL connection, in particular an ADSLconnection) will be set up by the central computer 15 a to the ISPcomputer 15 b, which will then assign a temporary IP address to thecentral computer 15 a or, as the case may be, the respective client 12a, 12 b, 12 c, 13 a, 13 b. The ISP computer 15 b will furthermoreinitiate the establishment of a corresponding internet connection sothat data can be exchanged between the respective client 12 a, 12 b, 12c, 13 a, 13 b and the computer 10 c over the internet and the telephonenetwork, with the ISP computer 15 b and the central intranet computer 15a having been intermediately connected.

The number of IP addresses to be administered by the ISP computer 15 bis reduced through the use of temporary IP addresses instead of IPaddresses permanently assigned to a specific central computer or, as thecase may be, client.

As is further shown in the FIGURE, the third intranet data network Chas, analogously to the first and second intranet data network A, B, aplurality of clients 22 a, 23 a, namely a telephone 23 a and a computer22 a in the present exemplary embodiment.

The third intranet data network C is connected to the telephone networkand additionally to the internet. In contrast to the second intranetdata network B, the third intranet data network C is connected directlyand continually to the internet by means of a corresponding dedicatedline 29 c.

The third intranet data network C has a telecommunication system or, asthe case may be, a central computer 25 functioning as atelecommunication system, which computer functions for the clients 22 a,23 a as a communication-control device, in particular as a switchingsystem, for connecting the intranet data network (or, as the case maybe, the clients 22 a, 23 a connected thereto) to the telephone networkor the internet. The central computer 25 is permanently connected to theinternet over the dedicated line 29 c (which is to say is always online).

Communication-control software is loaded in a manner known per se on astorage 28 of the computer 25.

The central computer 25 or, as the case may be, the clients 22 a, 23 aare connected to the third intranet data network C by means of lines 26a, 27 a, 29 a connected to a corresponding bus system.

The clients 22 a, 23 a and the central computer 25 communicate usinginternet protocols, for example the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)or, as the case may be, the Internet Protocol (IP). Software (what istermed a stack) able to understand and evaluate the relevant internetprotocol is for this purpose loaded on the respective client 22 a, 23 aor, as the case may be, on the central computer 25.

If one of the clients 22 a, 23 a communicates with an external devicewhich is not connected directly to the intranet data network but isconnected to the telephone network (with the telephone 10 a device inthe present exemplary embodiment), the data will be converted by thecentral computer 25 into corresponding POTS data or ISDN data and fedout to the telephone network over a line 29 b. Vice versa, the POTS dataor, as the case may be, ISDN data received over the telephone network bythe telephone 10 a will be forwarded in the above-cited manner by thecentral computer 25 to the respective client 22 a, 23 a over the thirdintranet data network C.

The central intranet computer 25 or, as the case may be, the clients 22a, 23 a connected thereto have a permanent IP address consisting of amulti-digit number so that, following establishment of the correspondinginternet connection, data can be exchanged between a device connected tothe internet (for example the computer 10 c) and the central computer 25or, as the case may be, between the device (for example the computer 10c) and the respective client 22 a, 23 a, with, in that case, thecomputer 25 having been intermediately connected.

An administrative computer 31 (here: a PC, standing for Personalcomputer) and a server computer 4 (here: a TFTP, standing for TrivialFile Transfer Protocol, server computer) is provided in the presentexemplary embodiment for updating the communication-control softwarestored on the storage devices 8, 18, 28 of the central computers 5, 15a, 25 (or for updating any other software stored on the relevant storagedevices 8, 18, 28). Any other server computer, for example an ordinaryweb server computer, in particular an HTTP server computer or, as thecase may be, HTTPS server computer, can also be used instead of a TFTPserver computer.

The server computer 4 and/or the administrative computer 31 can belocated remotely from each other and/or remotely from some or all of thecentral computers 5, 15 a, 25.

Updating of the software on the central computers 5, 15 a, 25, inparticular exchanging of the data required therefore, takes place in thedata communication system 1 shown in an adaptive manner, in particularin a manner ensuring as fast as possible a data transmission rate.

As can be seen from the FIGURE and the description, all centralcomputers 5, 15 a, 25 are accessible over the telephone network, whichis to say via a call identification permanently assigned to therespective computer 5, 15 a, 25 (here: a telephone number). Only some ofthe central computers, namely the central computers 15 a and 25, are bycontrast accessible over the internet.

Stored on a storage device 32 of the administrative computer 31 is alist of those central computers 5, 15 a, 25 or, as the case may be, thecall identifications assigned thereto, whose software can be updated ina process initiated from the administrative computer 31.

In the present exemplary embodiment the administrative computer 31 isconnected to the telephone network and (temporarily or in a stationarymanner) to the internet via corresponding lines 33 a, 33 b, 33 c.

The respective central computer 5, 15 a, 25 for which software updatingis to be performed can be selected by means of appropriate selectionentries made on the administrative computer 31 by a user P. A telephoneconnection, in particular a POTS or ISDN telephone connection, will thenbe set up to the selected central computer 5, 15 a, 25 automaticallyinitiated by the administrative computer 31. This is done by dialing thetelephone number, contained in the list, assigned to the respectivecomputer 5, 15 a, 25.

Special, separate software-updating control software is stored on thecorresponding storage devices 8, 18, 18 of the central computers 5, 15a, 25. Said software-updating control software can alternatively also beintegrated in, for example, other software components, for example thecommunication-control software, stored on the respective storage device8, 18, 18.

The software-updating control software will be launched once a telephoneconnection has been set up between the respective central computer 5, 15a, 25 and the administrative computer 31 (see step K or, as the case maybe, arrow K). Said control software will then ascertain whichcommunication paths are momentarily available to the respective centralcomputer 5, 15 a, 25. The central computer can, for example (as is thecase, for instance, with the central computer 5), be embodied or, as thecase may be, set up solely for communicating over a correspondingtelephone connection, routed in this case over the line 11. The relevantcentral computer can alternatively (as is the case, for instance, withthe central computer 25) be additionally connected to the internet,which is to say embodied or, as the case may be, set up in such a way asto be able to communicate permanently over a corresponding internetconnection.

It is also possible for the relevant central computer to be embodied or,as the case may be, set up (as is the case, for instance, with thecentral computer 15 a) for communicating over a corresponding telephoneconnection and additionally to be capable of being connected to theinternet but momentarily not to be connected thereto (offlinecondition). The relevant central computer will then momentarily not beable to communicate over the internet. The software-updating controlsoftware can in this case initiate the immediate connection of thecentral computer 15 a to the internet.

The relevant central computer can furthermore be embodied or, as thecase may be, set up (as is the case, for instance, with the centralcomputer 15 a) for communicating over a corresponding telephoneconnection and be momentarily (but not continually) online, which is tosay connected to the internet (or can be put into such a condition inthe above-described manner initiated by the software-updating controlsoftware). The relevant central computer will then momentarily be ableto communicate over a corresponding internet connection.

When the communication paths momentarily available to the respectivecentral computer 5, 15 a, 25 have been ascertained, then, if it has beenascertained that several communication paths are available, one of saidascertained communication paths will be selected by thesoftware-updating control software, in particular the one over whichmomentarily the fastest data rate can be achieved.

The ascertained result is then, initiated by the software-updatingcontrol software, notified to the administrative computer 31 by means ofcorresponding data exchanged over the telephone connection existingbetween the respective central computer 5, 15 a, 25 and theadministrative computer 31. This takes place in particular by means ofdata identifying the type of selected communication path (POTS telephoneconnection or, as the case may be, ISDN telephone connection/fixed IPconnection/temporary IP connection) and/or by means of data identifyingthe call identification (telephone number/fixed IP address/temporary IPaddress) assigned to the selected communication path.

If the selected communication path does not correspond to thecommunication path used momentarily for communication between therespective central computer 5, 15 a, 25 and the administrative computer31 (which is to say to the above-cited telephone connection), then,initiated by the administrative computer 31 or, alternatively, by therespective central computer 5, 15 a, 25, a new connection will be set upbetween the administrative computer 31 and the respective centralcomputer 25. For example an internet connection will be set up (see stepL or, as the case may be, arrow L) using the conveyed (fixed ortemporary) IP address.

Further data relating to the control of the updating process of the(communication-control) software stored on the storage device 8, 18, 28of the respective central computer 5, 15 a, 25 is then exchanged betweenthe respective central computer 5, 15 a, 25 and the administrativecomputer 31 over the selected communication path, which is to say eitherover the new communication path or, if the original communication pathcorresponds to the selected communication path, over the communicationpath originally existing between the respective central computer 5, 15a, 25 and the administrative computer 31.

Said (updating-process control) data can indicate:

-   the precise time at which updating is to be performed, and/or-   the (communication-control) software version momentarily stored on    the respective storage device 8, 18, 28, and/or-   information on whether all the (communication-control) software or    only individual components of the (communication-control) software    is/are to be updated or, as the case may be, which components are to    be updated, and/or-   the communication path over which communication is to take place    with the server computer 4 (this communication path can correspond,    for example, to the selected communication path), and/or-   depending on the respectively indicated communication path, the    corresponding call identification of the server computer 4, in    particular its telephone number, IP address, or URL, and/or,-   the path or, as the case may be, file name(s) under which the    relevant files required for updating the (communication-control)    software are stored on the server computer 4.

A part of the (updating-process control) data, for example the dataindicating which precise software components are to be updated, can beentered or, as the case may be, selected by the user P on theadministrative computer 31, in particular (when the data is transmittedover the internet) by means of appropriate entries made on a browserdisplayed thereon.

Other (updating-process control) data can be stored in advance on, forexample, the storage device 32 of the administrative computer 31 or canbe ascertained by means of corresponding control software stored on thestorage device 32 of the administrative computer 31 (for example thecorresponding call identification, in particular the telephone number orIP address or, as the case may be, URL of the server computer 4), and/orcan be stored in advance on the respective storage device 8, 18, 28 ofthe corresponding central computer 5, 15 a, 25 or ascertained by meansof the corresponding control software stored on the respective storagedevice 8, 18, 28 of the corresponding central computer 5, 15 a, 25 (forexample the data identifying the communication path to be used forcommunicating with the server computer 4).

A connection is thereupon set up through a process initiated by therespective central computer 5, 15 a, 25, in particular by thesoftware-updating control software, over the selected communication pathbetween the respective central computer 5, 15 a, 25 and the servercomputer 4. This takes place, for example, proceeding from the centralcomputer 15 a or 25 using the IP address or, as the case may be, URL(see step N or, as the case may be, arrow N) conveyed by theadministrative computer 31 or proceeding from the central computer 5using the telephone number (see step M or, as the case may be, arrow M)conveyed by the administrative computer 31.

Further (updating-process control) data is exchanged between therespective central computer 5, 15 a, 25 and the server computer 4 whenthe corresponding connection has been set up. Said further(updating-process control) data can indicate, for example, the path or,as the case may be, file name(s) of the file or, as the case may be,files requiring to be transmitted to the respective central computer 5,15 a, 25 for updating the (communication-control) software, and/or theprecise time at which the corresponding files are to be conveyed.

The corresponding file(s) stored, for example, on a storage device 34 ofthe server computer 4 is/are then transmitted to the respective centralcomputer 5, 15 a, 25 over the corresponding connection. The(communication-control) software is then updated there in a manner knownper se under the control of the software-updating control software andusing the file(s) conveyed by the server computer 4.

Data identifying the status of updating (for instance data indicatingwhether updating could or could not be performed successfully) isthereupon conveyed, for example initiated by the software-updatingcontrol software, over the connection existing between the respectivecentral computer 5, 15 a, 25 and the administrative computer 31 (or,alternatively, over a connection then newly set up) from the respectivecentral computer 5, 15 a, 25 to the administrative computer 31. Thistakes place using an administrative-computer-updating status-conveyingdestination address which, as part of the (updating-process control)data, has been conveyed in advance to the respective central computer 5,15 a, 25 by the administrative computer 31.

One or more of the intranet data networks A, B, C can, in an alternativeexemplary embodiment, be connected to further intranet data networksover corresponding lines and corresponding, further central computers(here, for example, the intranet data network A over lines 9 a, 9 b andfurther central computers 5 a, 5 b), which is to say can be combinedtherewith into an aggregate network.

Stored on corresponding storage devices 8 a, 8 b of the further centralcomputers 5 a, 5 b is communication-control software corresponding tothe communication-control software stored on the storage device 8 of thecentral computer 5 or, as the case may be, being identical thereto.

The respective central computer (in this case the central computer 5)or, as the case may be, the software-updating control software stored onits storage device 8, can then, with the aid of corresponding dataexchanged with the further central computers 5 a, 5 b over the lines 9 aor, as the case may be, 9 b, cause the communication-control softwarestored on the storage devices 8 a, 8 b of the further central computers5 a, 5 b to be updated accordingly, as, previously, thecommunication-control software stored on the storage device 8 of thecentral computer 5. This is done by means of forwarding by the centralcomputer 5 of the corresponding file(s) required for updating and storedon the storage device 34 of the server computer 4 to the further centralcomputers 5 a, 5 b, where, using the file(s) conveyed by the centralcomputer 5, the communication-control software stored on thecorresponding storage device 8 a, 8 b is updated in a manner known perse.

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A data communication system for updating a softwarestored in a storage device of a first computer, comprising anadministrative computer for updating the software; an indicatorindicating a transmission medium for updating software that is exchangedbetween the first computer and the administrative computer prior to theupdate; and a data connection operatively connecting the first computerand the administrative computer via the transmission medium adapted totransmit data between the computer and the administrative computer. 25.The data communication system according to claim 24, wherein theindicator is exchanged over a predetermined transmission medium.
 26. Thedata communication system according to claim 25, wherein thepredetermined transmission medium is different from the transmissionmedium.
 27. The data communication system according to claim 25, whereinthe predetermined transmission medium is a telephone connection.
 28. Thedata communication system according to claim 24, wherein thetransmission medium is an internet connection or a telephone connection.29. The data communication system according to claim 28, wherein theinternet connection is fixed and an IP address assigned to the firstcomputer is a fixed IP, or the internet connection is temporary and anIP address assigned to the first computer is a temporary IP address. 30.The data communication system according to claim 24, wherein the firstcomputer ascertains a second transmission medium for exchanging acontrol software, the control software controlling the software update.31. The data communication system according to claim 25, wherein acontrol software for controlling the software update is exchangedbetween the first computer and the administrative computer over thepredetermined or transmission medium.
 32. The data communication systemaccording to claim 31, wherein the control software indicates a time toperform the software update.
 33. The data communication system accordingto claim 31, wherein the control software indicates a callidentification that is assigned to the additional first computer, thecall identification selected from the group consisting of telephonenumber, internet protocol address, and uniform resource locator address.34. The data communication system according to claim 31, wherein asecond transmission medium for exchanging data between the firstcomputer and the additional first computer is conveyed via the controlsoftware.
 35. The data communication system according to claim 34,wherein the second transmission medium is the same as the transmissionmedium or the predefined transmission medium.
 36. The data communicationsystem according to claim 34, wherein the second transmission isdifferent than the transmission medium and the predefined transmissionmedium.
 37. The data communication system according to claim 34, whereina file for updating software is stored on the additional server andwherein the file first computer is transmitted to the first computerover the second transmission medium.
 38. The data communication systemaccording to claim 37, wherein the additional first computer is atrivial file transfer protocol server first computer or a web serverfirst computer.
 39. The data communication system according to claim 24,wherein the first computer is a telecommunication system.
 40. The datacommunication system according to claim 24, wherein the software to beupdated is a communication-control software.
 41. The data communicationsystem according to claim 24, wherein the first computer is part of afirst data network and functions as a central first computer for thefirst data network.
 42. The data communication system according to claim24, wherein the first data network is connected to a second data networkforming an aggregate network and wherein the first computer initiatesupdating the software stored on a second computer in the second network.43. A first computer in a data communication system, comprising: aprocessor; a storage device operatively connected to the processor; afirst data connection operatively connected to a server computer over atransmission medium for exchanging data for updating a first software,the transmission medium ascertained by the computer occurring prior toestablishing the first connection; a second software controlling thefirst software update, the second software exchanged between anadministrative computer and the first computer; a call identification ofthe first computer selected from the group consisting of telephonenumber, internet protocol address, and uniform resource locator address;and a time indicator indicating a time to update the first software bythe second software.
 44. A method for updating software stored on afirst computer of a data communication system having an administrativecomputer and a server first computer, comprising: indicating atransmission medium for exchanging data between the first computer andthe administrative computer, the indication occurring prior to theupdating the software stored on the first computer; and establishing adata connection between the first computer and the additional serverfirst computer over the transmission medium.